Thursday, June 30, 2011

Allah Hu Allah, what is left for us to say on the last days of Rajab, except to lament as would the people of akhiruzaman typically do - how fast time flies!

Alhamdulillah, we have been given the blessings of Rajab though we might have wasted most of it. May Allah forgive us for we are nothing if not for Rasulullah s.a.w. Let's welcome Shaaban with the best of hopes so that with his shafaat we will not stray too far from what we ought to do as a servant of Allah, as one who is supposed to follow sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w.

"The entire ummah who is honored by Allah with the blessings of Islam and being chosen as the ummah of Muhammad s.a.w ought to reflect upon the events which he had experienced. They should have in their hearts vivid memories of the episodes which he had gone through.

In the Quran, in the verse referring to Isra wal Mikraj Allah used the term wazakkir instead of tazkir. The hikmah behind that is because Allah wants to remind the mukmin to remember the event which happened to Prophet Muhammad as it would be beneficial to us. There is nothing new to remembering this event but it is a duty for us so that by doing so we will remain close to Prophet Muhammad.

We find it weird that some people think it's not necessary to reminisce something that occured a very long time ago when the fact is that when we remember anything about Prophet Muhammad, it would make us become closer to him. Allah wants us to remember the Isra & Mikraj for us to learn the lessons from it. Allah said in the Quran that He narrates to Prophet Muhammad the stories of the Rasul for the sake of strengthening his heart.

We should reflect on the current political scenario in various Arab countries. We should draw lessons from the past and specifically to those involving Prophet Muhammad. If we don't learn from him, what else should we learn then? Allah narrates to the Prophet stories of other Rasul to strengthen his heart, likewise, we must learn about Prophet Muhammad's stories to make our hearts strong. Prophet Muhammad is maksum but still he needs to be reminded of the stories of the Rasul before him. What about us? We are in need of reminders too, as we face so many challenges these days.

Some people thought it's strange that we are doing something which the Prophet or the sahabah themselves did not do. The Prophet need not remember or celebrate something that he himself experienced. The sahabah need not celebrate the events either because they were close with the Prophet, they were there with Rasulullah then. But we are so distant from him, so we need to make an effort to remember him and his experiences and learn from it. Those people who truly love Rasulullah are not affected by such allegations. Lovers are occupied with the object of their love. They busy themselves thinking and talking about their beloved Rasulullah.

Those who are against the Isra & Mikraj celebration are in fact trying to disengage the Muslims from their Prophet. If we don't celebrate such an event, how will people know about him? People nowadays do not have the time to study lengthy kitab on his sirah (history). Therefore, when we celebrate the event of Isra & Mikraj, people will get to learn something about the Prophet and begin to love him. Allah considers us 'the best of ummah' because we are the ummah of Muhammad. We are given the title because of the special privileges which Allah has granted to Prophet Muhammad. Therefore, we must remember him to honor him.

I share with you my views on this matter because you are my brother in Islam. We are related through Islam and we love one another for the sake of Islam although we come from different countries. I wish to highlight a common misunderstanding among many ulama mutaakhirin (recent scholars) that Isra & Mikraj is not a mukjizah. Renowned ulama of hadith and sirah have never referred to Isra & Mikraj as a mukjizah. We must differentiate the meaning of mukjizah and khususiyah (special privilege). As a matter of fact, Isra & Mikraj is mentioned in the chapter called kitabul fadhail explaining the honors and uniqueness of Prophet Muhammad. It was never mentioned in chapters concerning the proof of his prophethood (dalail nubuwah).

Mukjizah is something extraordinary that he would perform to prove to the person who challenged his prophethood. As an example the Prophet made the moon split to show to a disbeliever that he is in fact a prophet. There is an eye witness to the event so that the person who doubted him could see for himself. Whereas, in Isra & Mikraj, there is no eye witness. In the Quranic verse on Isra Mikraj, Allah said "it was to show him (Prophet Muhammad)". Otherwise, Allah would have said: "it was to convince them (the mushrikin) about him."

We understand from Isra Mikraj that it was an event to honor the Prophet in front of other anbiya. At Baitul Maqdis, Prophet Muhammad was asked to be imam. Allah need not plan such a special occasion only to convince the kafir. They do not deserve such a unique occurence. It all happened because Allah wanted to show the special position of Prophet Muhammad.

We should realize why it was called Isra wal mikraj and not al isra wal uruj. Al mikraj is a tool like an elevator to bring someone up. When we say something as going up, it should also come down. But know that Prophet Muhammad upon going up to Sidratul Muntaha he did not come down though physically he did. His maqam remained up there before, during and after mikraj.

In the Isra episode, Allah made him travel - asra. Allah is the doer in this case. Whereas in the mikraj episode, the doer is Prophet Muhammad himself. Furthermore, Allah said, his heart did not lie of what he saw in the Heavens. Nor did his eyes. And Ibnu Abbas reiterated that Prophet Muhammad had seen Allah with his own eyes. In truth, the Prophet's homeland is up there though his physical being is down on earth.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. We saw this magnificent piece of sacred art on display at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center yesterday. It is a gift from an Arab Shaykh to the chief of the Hajj Agency of Malaysia. It is believed to be 107 years old. Made in 1325 Hijri in Mesir, this curtain had once adorned the maqam of Rasulullah s.a.w at Masjid An Nabawi in Madinah.

Verse 54 of Surah Al An'am was embroidered on the top part of the curtain on order of the then Rulers of Egypt - Sultan Mohamed V and Abbas Helmi Basha.

"And when those who believe in Our signs come to you, say, 'Peace be upon you. Your Lord has prescribed for Himself mercy, truly whoever of you does evil in ignorance and repents thereafter and makes amends, truly He is Forgiving, Merciful."

Friday, June 24, 2011

We are very delighted to announce that KL Ba'alawi will be hosting a majlis in conjunction with Isra & Mikraj on Sunday, 26 June 2011, from Maghrib onwards. Guest of honors from abroad include two highly notable scholars: Al Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Al Kattani Al Husaini who will expound on ahadith relating to Isra Mikraj,

Local scholars who will be present at the majlis are Shaykh Abdul Aziz Shafie (Baba Aziz) and Shaykh Fahmi Zamzam Al Maliki, InshaAllah.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the ever wonderful hosts, Sister Ina & Brother Ben for hosting this event.

May Allah gather as many of us as there can be at the majlisInshaAllah. Wallahi, just hearing about this event and the presence of the guest of honors have made our heart tranquil and happy, that much barakah they emit, MashaAllah! May Allah continue to make us benefit from our scholars InshaAllah.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

It's 21st Rajab, we remembered the days of the special months - Rajab, Shaaban, Ramadan, Shawal, Zulqa'dah, Zulhijjah and Jamadil Akhir when the venerable Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani gave his discourses as compiled in Fath Ar Rabbani, one book we hold on to so dearly and one which we have quoted so frequently.

His words are as piercing to the heart as ever. And the translations offered by the late Muhtar Holland, mashaAllah, so fluid in its expression that we chew each word insatiably.

The shaykh said something that hit us hard because there's no denying that's what we've been occupied with. We have, consciously or unconsciously, been busy putting efforts to attract benefit to ourself and repel harm from ourself, haven't we?

The shaykh said:

"Do not try to match the people of the Lord with your hypocrisy for you are not fit. There is nothing to be said until you cut the waistband, renew your Islam, truly repent with your heart, and leave the house of your natural urges (tab'), your passions (hawa), your existence (wujud) and your efforts to attract benefit to you and repel harm from you.

There is nothing to be said
until you depart from you,
leaving your lower self (nafs),
your passions and your natural urges at the door,
leaving your heart in the lobby,
and leaving your innermost being (sirr) in the closet with the King."

Subhanallah!

Oh, if we may lament aloud. Oh poor soul, when will you leave your sandals and enter? No it's not even about 'when', it's whether you are willing to leave your sandals behind and go. But woe unto you who like to parade in them with pride. Hey buddy! The shaykh said, to leave your heart in the lobby!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

"Ya Ilahi, dunya is not beautiful at all without your zikr;
Akhirah is not completely beautiful without your countenance;
Ilahi, everytime a moment passes in which you are not remembered, it is the most miserable moment that is in my life. So please Allah, do not combine on me
loss of your merciful love, as well as your punishment."

A prayer of one woman from Basriyat, a woman from Basra in the early days when they were known to be devout worshippers. She used to say this prayer every night.
- Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. Praise be to Allah for answering our needs for continued reminder. Praise be to Allah for giving us the joy of listening to His da'ie, a gem we've just discovered - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui. MashaAllah! His words of counsel are a much needed balm for our bruised heart. Certainly we have hubb for such a person lillahitaala.

You may listen to Shaykh Mokhtar's lectures at AL-MADINA INSTITUTE. We have been listening to his talk on "The power of dua" over and over again and here is the partial transcript for you. May we become encouraged, may Allah give us the tawfik to follow his lessons and also the lessons of the other shuyukh which are made available at almadinainstitute.org

Shaykh Mokhtar said:
"We were once at home in Jannah. And then we disobey Allah swt in Jannah and we have to leave home and to come to this earth which is not where we were born. We were home and we had to leave home, the company of the Divine swt. The company of the Source of life, of the Source of love, the Source of peace, the Source of goodness, the Source of happiness and the Source of freedom. And in this dunya, in this world, we are given another chance to go back home and to go back home ultimately and forever, and never leave again home. And in the course of going back home, in this dunya, we are tried with prosperity and adversity.

We are meant to go back home. And in the course of facing adversity and prosperities, we cannot make it home without the help of Allah swt. Nobody makes it home without the help of Allah swt. Nobody reaches the Divine in his or her heart in this dunya and fully in akhirah at home without Allah swt.

And thus the importance of du'a, and thus the importance of supplication, of prayer of invoking Allah swt, of pleading to Allah swt, of realizing our destitution, our need for Allah. "O mankind, you are the ones in need, in dire need for Allah and Allah is the only independent one." The du'a would become then the most important and instrumental of ways to reaching Allah. And thus Rasulullah s.a.w calls it THE ibadah. Ad dua u huwal ibadah. Du'a, supplication, prayer is the ibadah, to the extent even from Allah's grace, bounty and kindness and rahmah, gentleness and compassion, He azzawajalla even is displeased with those of us who do not supplicate Him swt.

The person who does not ask Allah, who does not plead to Allah, who does not supplicate, solicitate, and solicit from Allah swt, such a person will incur the anger of Allah. Whereas human beings and creatures, the more we ask them the more they become prone to be angry at us. Allah the more we ask Him, the more He loves us. The less we ask Him, the angrier He is at us, subhanallah. "Say to the human beings if you were to own the treasures of my Lord you would withold." And indeed the human being was created miser, if you will.

Rasullullah s.a.w said in a hadith sahih: Ad dua'u silahul mukmin...Subhanallah, in his beautiful statement, it is said that du'a, prayer, supplication is the weapon of the believer. That's your weapon in all conditions, in prosperity and in adversity, especially in times of hardship and difficulties, personal and otherwise. This most beautiful, spiritual, peaceful weapon, the weapon of the believer is his or her prayerfulness, a state inside, a feeling of connected to Allah and wanting to connect to Allah with invoking and imploring Him through du'a. And it is the pillar of the deen, to the extent that Allah describe those who do not implore Allah in prayer, that they are mutakabbirun. In this ayah also describes du'a as ibadah and those who do not implore Allah that's a sign of arrogance. The scholars said in this ayah, those of us who do not take moments sincerely in turning to Allah expressing our true, innate, natural, natural need for Allah, and do not raise our hands, both hands, soliciting from Allah s.w.t that's a sign of arrogance inside of us. It's a sign of kibr inside of us wa na'uzubillah....

Shaykh Mokhtar will be holding a seminar on the 'The Inner Dimensions of Fasting' on 9 July 2011 @ Islamic Society of Central Jersey, New Jersey, USA. We pray so that our sisters and brothers living in and around the area would be able to attend the majlis, InshaAllah.

Monday, June 20, 2011

It's hard not to be critical these days. No one likes to be critical because it saps one's energy. As we were trying to get some rest from a series of debate, we seeked refuge in Al-Fath Ar-Rabbani and as always, the page we flipped by chance, offered an answer, Subhanallah, miracles of Ghawth Al Azam, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani lives on!

He said:

"You should criticize yourselves and others on account of the sacred law (shar') not because of the passions (hawa), the lower self (nafs) and natural inclinations (tab'). When the sacred law is silent on a subject, you must observe a corresponding silence and where it has something to say, conform to it in respect of what it has to say. O young man! Do not criticize others because of your lower self and your passions, criticize them rather on account of your faith. Faith is the critic (munkir), while certitude (yaqin) is the eliminator (of faults), and the Lord (Almighty and Glorious is He) is the Helper (Nasir) who helps you to succeed and glories in your success. As Allah (swt) has said:

"If Allah helps you, none can overcome you." (Quran 3:160)

"If you help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm." (Quran 47:7)

If you are critical, of something blameworthy out of zeal for Allah (swt), He will assist you to get rid of it, supporting you against those responsible for it and making them submit to you. But if you are critical of it because of your own lower self, your passions, your devil and your natural impulses. He will disappoint you and fail to support against the people concerned, and you will not be able to to get rid of it. Faith is what is entitled to criticize (al-iman huwal-munkir), so any critic whose criticism does not stem from faith is no critic at all. Criticism regardless of your personal wishes, must be for the sake of Allah, not for the sake of His creatures; for the sake of His religion (din), not for your own sake; for Him, not for you."

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah! Allah has protected us yet again and given us another 'second chance'. The last posting we did, could have been our final posting because Allah might have taken us back to Him. Inna lillah wa inna ilai hi raji'un.

It makes us think, if we had died, what will we have left and what will we have taken with us. It also reminds us of one 'funny' article on an interview with a British physicist, Stephen Hawking who said: "I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark."

Fortunately for us we believe that we are a spirit (ruh) from the Eternal, so that our thoughts or belief system transcend beyond anything physical such as the brain. Fortunately for us that we find it easy, in fact it's natural for us to believe in the unseen. What is God doing now? He is whispering into our heart these words we are writing. Who is God? He is our Creator who will make us go to sleep soon and He might or might not let us wake up tomorrow. He is the Creator of the illness that Hawking is suffering from while creating the rest of us more healthy. What's so difficult about believing in anything unseen, like love, hope, fear etc.?

Fortunately for those who believe in the unseen, they have got a good book. A book which had described how a man is created out of a blood clot even before science discovered it.

Alif Lam Mim.

This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear God. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. (Qur'an 2:1-3)

Fortunately for us we believe in Muhammad the Messenger whose grave is visited by countless people. Perhaps some clever physicists should research on the energy that emanates from his grave and explain why so many people are so drawn to visit the grave of an 'ordinary man', the man many people look forward to meet after death.

Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us the gift of iman. What's the big deal about having iman? Nothing, just as simple as picking up a nail from the pavement for fear that it might hurt the next person who walks by. Why do we happen to have certain beautiful characters? Because we learned about some Beautiful Names. We could even see them, we could recognize among others, Al Wali - the Friend and Al-Hafiz - the Protector, in action.

Oh thanks to the unseen Friend and Protector who had saved us yesterday, otherwise Lisan al-Din would have been history. But we would be equally thankful if He decided to take us because then we might have a chance to see the heaven : ) something that Hawking doesn't believe in. But there is one statement of his that we could agree with: "We should seek the greatest value of our action."

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah, we were able to join Shaykh Hisham Kabbani's trip to Melaka today. We will continue travelling this weekend so we shall leave you with a couple of pictures and most importantly the blessings of Sultan Al-Ariffin Shaykh Ismail whose maqam is situated on Pulau Besar, an island off coast Melaka.

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Shaykh Hisham had given sohbet before heading for Sultan Al-Ariffin Maqam.

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Shaykh Hisham walking towards the maqam,
after spending some time at the island's musolla

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Appealing to Sultan Al-Ariffin to present us to the Prophet s.a.w.
that we are given the gift of seeing him in a dream and in person.
And that Allah will forgive those present and absent during the visit.
- A few lines from Shaykh Hisham's long and hertfelt prayers.

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My friends (Syed Mustafa, Nasir, Syed's cousin and Nizam)
from India, Bangkok and Singapore
came to KL
in conjunction with Shaykh Hisham's trip to Malaysia.
Walking happily after having visited the maqam.

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Fadhil of Penang was proud to carry the Naqshbandi flag.

My mother and Nasir walking towards the jetty.
A 20 minute boat ride took us back to mainland.

My niece, Nazatul Shafiqah, happy to be part of the Naqshbandi followers

"MashaAllah, mashaAllah, we are now in the blessed month of Rajab. Rajab is for Allah. Shaaban is for the Prophet and Ramadhan is for the ummah. May Allah forgive us for Allah forgive people in Rajab. [I am speaking] Based on what I heard from my mother, Rajab is the month of prayer. In our country, some people who seldom pray in the other months would start praying in Rajab. May Allah forgive us. Rajab Mubarrak to you! May you get to go for hajj this year. May Allah protect us and our countries. May Allah prevent shaytan from entering the hearts of people and their leaders. May Allah give us a good president and give mercy to humanity. We are ajeez, weak servants of Allah. We are like ants. Little by little may Allah raise our level in paradise."

At the end of the zikir, Hajjah Naziha reminded the ladies on something her mom had often said to her:

"My mom said, when we go to majlis zikir, do not think that we are coming, walking or driving. We are riding on the wings of the angels. And every step we take, we become higher by ten levels. Ten good manners will replace ten bad manners. Allah has gathered us here, may He gather us in paradise with Nabi Muhammad s.a.w."

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Wallahu a'lam. May I be forgiven for any unintentional errors or ommissions in my note taking.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

This morning I woke up to a special email from a lady who works on an incredible initiative called 'My Fellow American'.

It is "an online film and social media project that calls upon concerned Americans to pledge and spread a message that Muslims are our fellow Americans. It asks people of other backgrounds to pledge, and share a real life story about a Muslim friend, neighbor, or colleague that they admire. Using the power of social media, 'My Fellow American' seeks to change the narrative of Muslims as the other, to Muslims as our fellow Americans."

I applaud this effort and encourage you to watch the video and spread the word. It is a program urging the non-Muslims in America to open or reopen their hearts towards American Muslims and extend a friendly gesture. It offers a rare platform for them to share their positive experiences in knowing or dealing with American Muslims.

But that's only one part of the equation. What about us Muslims? What about me, a non-American Muslim living outside the USA, one who has a somewhat negative perception towards the country. Yes I admit that I have been pessimistic about America because (as you might guess) she appears to be a nation which is unfriendly to Muslims. But after knowing about 'My Fellow American' project, it has made me want to reasess my perception towards America and rethink my thoughts about the country.

Really I should not be having ill thoughts about America. What was I thinking? I had spent two colorful years in California in early '90s. My professors had treated me well. My classmates never once did they discriminate me. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf had read 'Religious Studies' at the same university I went to and at about the same time too. I could imagine the atmosphere in his class would have been filled with even much more tolerance and compassion.

That brings me to my next point on why I should like America. I like the fact that it is home to many shuyukh from whom I have benefited. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, Shaykh Muhammad bin Yahya An-Ninowy, all live in America. I imagine the wonderful lives they lead in beautiful California, Michigan and Georgia. In fact, everytime I hear or hum the song 'Georgia on my mind' - Shaykh Ninowy comes to my mind. Yes I enjoy American music too. And of course their food! (Think clam chowder at San Francisco!)

What else have I learned to like about America? I like that it has become a wonderful home for a close friend of mine. When I told him recently (before today's awakenings) that I would not want to live in America, he said 'everywhere is the same if you know how to make your home heavenly'. How could I disagree? I used to have stereotypes about people or Muslims living in big cities such as Miami. But really Allah has proved me wrong. You will never know, there might be a Muslim in the 'sin cities' who wakes up to pray every night, while one like I who lives in a Muslim country, sleep like a log!

I think, in short, it's not just about non-Muslims in America opening up to Muslims in that country. It's also about Muslims everywhere else to open up their minds.

May Allah help us remove all negative mental barriers. May Allah help us have husnul zan (positive thoughts) about one another. After all, we are all standing underneath the same one sky.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani began his sohbet tonight with a very humble remark. He said: "I am not trying to impose myself on anyone, to say this is right, that is wrong. I am speaking to you after having taken permission from Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. May you and I benefit from what Mawlana is saying. The Prophet s.a.w said: "Religion is good advice". When we are sick, we go to see a doctor to get his advice. If you are not happy with the doctor's advice, you can go to another doctor. What do you do with his advice? You follow! Religion is advice similar to medicine. Religion wants you to have a normal life. That is the message of Islam.

Nabi Muhammad s.a.w through ahadith taught us how to behave, study, and advise other people. Nabi Muhammad s.a.w taught us how to purify ourself. Religion is not just about worship (ibadah) but also everything you need in your life. We need a doctor of shari'ah to look after us. Sharia'h prepares us with a 'constitution' how we could achieve a certain level in dunya and when we leave dunya and onwards to the real paradise. We need a doctor in the spiritual dimension of life. Nabi Muhammad s.a.w said, 'Allah perfects my adab, my characters.' No one else is perfect except Allah. He is Azeem. How big is Azeem? No limits. He is azeemul fid dunya wal akhirah. He said, O Muhammad wherever you look, you will see my greatness.

What about us? Don't we need Allah to teach us? We are not prophet or sahabah. We are a normal person. The Prophet wants to teach us through sahabah, through anbiya, and the real scholar. Who taught Nabi Musa, Nabi Isa and Nabi Ibrahim (before the coming of the Prophet)? Allah taught them.

No one was being chosen to carry the reality of lailahaillallah except one person. Al Mustafa was chosen even before Adam was born. The Prophet said: 'I am the sayyid (master).' It is not a good adab to mention Nabi Muhammad s.a.w without standing. The Ottomans know his reality, they were taught this adab. May Allah forgive us for not standing each time the Prophet's name is mentioned. Even if we can't stand, make our soul to stand up. Ya Sayyidi Ya Rasulullah, we are helpless. The heart should stand. The mind seldom stand because of the ego.

Nabi Muhammad s.a.w did not select some and reject others. Nabi Muhammad is a prophet from pre-eternal to eternal. Allah raised the Prophet to Himself (the Essence) through the oceans that never end - al hakikatul zatti lil asma'i wa sifat. Nabi Muhammad was in perfect servanthood..."

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani then went on to elaborate the Essence being la sharikalah i.e. not having any partners and how the fragrance of the Essence filled up Prophet Muhammad hence making him incomparable.

Shaykh Hisham said he wouldn't be able to speak without the support of his shaykh and grand shaykh. "We need their support. Grand shaykh said to me and Shaykh Adnan (his brother), when you want to speak in public, open my sohbet (notes) and I will support you. Show your needs for my sohbet. Show that you are helpless. Don't make yourself a shaykh. Show ajeez (helplessness)."

_____________________________________Wallahu alam. May I be forgiven for any unintentional errors or omissions.

Monday, June 6, 2011

We are indeed delighted to hear the wonderful news of Shaykh Hisham's visit to Kuala Lumpur. The honorable Shaykh Hisham Kabbani is expected to give a series of sohbet from 7 to 12 June 2011.

We pray so that Allah give us the tawfik to attend his sohbetInshaAllah.

We are grateful that Shakyh Hisham travels to Kuala Lumpur regularly. We are grateful that through his hand we were able to take bay'ah with the venerable Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Haqqani. May Allah give them a long and blissful life. May we continue to benefit from their presence. InshaAllah.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

While browsing the shelves at the Borders boosktore today, we saw this wonderful attention grabbing quote which speaks for many of us. The quotation, printed in big and bold typeface, adorned the Borders' high wall.

"When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase which has meaning for me and it becomes part of me." - William Somerset Maugham, an English writer who died in 1965.

How true! So really we cannot say that we have finished reading this book, that book. It's more about picking up meaningful phrases that penetrate our heart and that which got engraved in our mind. And certainly phrases can be picked up from not only books but also blogs, someone's mouth and even the wall.

We are grateful to have come across many meaningful phrases which often re-ignite our thinking which was previously stagnate; evoke our emotion when we're feeling numb and refresh our zest for life when we're sluggish.

Words ought to be our prime food for living, otherwise God might not have said "Read". He could have said "eat" but no we're told to first and foremost, read.

One of the many phrases that we had picked up along the journey in search of the Truth, came from Ustaz Shuib circa 1999. We recalled sitting in his presence at his humble home where he said to us: "You want to be a Sufi? Sure you can!"

May Allah grant His mercies to all the people with wisdom who have enriched our soul with their meaningful phrases.

Allah Hu 'Aleem.

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p/s Oh after the Borders, we went to another place where another phrase on the wall shouted at us: "I happen to believe that you can change your destiny!"

We humbly request you to recite Al-Fatihah for Shaykh Sayyid Muhammad Al Maliki because we strongly believe that we are who we are today (a little better than we were during our jahiliyah days) because of his barakah. He was the first ulama we had met when we began to re-embrace Islam. We cannot forget that last piece of starfruit we ate from a fruit platter which he blessed. Alhamdulillah, one piece was all that we needed to cherish for a lifetime. Shukran lillah.